O'Brien provides offense

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published November 9, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [AP photo] Shane O'Brien, whose two goals gave him four for the season (doubling last season's total), moves up the ice in the first.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Shane O'Brien did not want to talk about his scoring touch, lest he put the whammy on himself.

But the Lightning defenseman's two goals Thursday gave him four for the season, double last season. He also showed less is more on a breakaway as he beat Cam Ward with a straightforward, short-side wrist shot.

Center Vinny Lecavalier, whose penalty shot earlier in the second period was stopped by Ward, took notice.

"It was pretty good," Lecavalier said of O'Brien's form. "He put it right where he wanted it."

Besides, Lecavalier joked, "Usually a defenseman puts it in a goalie's chest. O'Brien made a great play and a great shot."

It was timely, too as the goal with 1:49 left gave the Lightning a 4-0 lead and short-circuited a surging Hurricanes offense. O'Brien sprang free as he left the penalty box and took a perfect pass from Andreas Karlsson.

"I just slid the puck on the ice, and in it went," O'Brien said.

DENIS SITS: Goalie Marc Denis sat for the fourth consecutive game and has played just three all season. Denis, who has a 4.10 goals-against average and .855 save percentage, said he did not expect to play the second of consecutive games and is not bothered by the lack of playing time.

"I'm just sticking with the program," he said.

GOOD SHOW: In his first game of the season Wednesday, center Ryan Craig had the winner and an assist in AHL Norfolk's 5-3 victory over Hershey.

"Things look pretty good," said Craig, on a conditioning stint to test a herniated disc. "Obviously, there is room for improvement, but I felt I played well."

Craig, 25, is scheduled to play today for Norfolk and rejoin the Lightning on Saturday in Washington. He will be welcomed back as a potential consistent goal-scorer and steady defensive presence.

"It was nice to get back into the competitiveness of the game," said Craig, who played 27 minutes.

"I want to be playing."

ON THE FARM: Jonathan Boutin, getting a chance at Norfolk because of the injury to Karri Ramo, is 2-1-1 in five games with a 2.05 goals-against average and .943 save percentage.

"He's elevated himself," Norfolk general manager Claude Loiselle said of Boutin, 22, a third-round pick in 2003. "He's got some upside. Let's hope he continues."

ODDS AND ENDS: With a goal and an assist Thursday, Lecavalier has two and eight, respectively, in his previous four games. ... Defenseman Matt Smaby and center Craig MacDonald were healthy scratches.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 01:00:51]